Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Nightrage - Descent Into Chaos - 2005 - Century Media

Track Listing 1. Being Nothing 2. Phantasma 3. Poems 4. Descent Into Chaos 5. Frozen 6. Drug 7. Silent Solitude 8. Omen 9. Release 10. Solus [Instrumental] 11. Jubilant Cry 12. Reality vs. Truth

Picking up where the 2003 release of 'Sweet Vengeance' left off, Tomas Lindberg and Gus G. have created another brilliant and uncompromising metal assault with 'Descent Into Chaos'. This "super group" that started out as a side project still consists of the godly Gus G. and Marios Iliopoulos who deliver some savage riffing and awe-inspiring dual leads. Thomas Lindberg shines once again on this sophomore effort showing why he is arguably one of the best vocalist ever to grace the death metal scene. Altering the rhythm section slightly with the new additions of drummer Fotis Benardo (Septic Flesh) and bassist Henric Carlsson (Cipher System) NIGHTRAGE has added an even heavier element to the team.

Kicking things off with the brutal crush of 'Being Nothing' you may think this album is heading toward the sound of Lindbergs other projects like THE GREAT DECIEVER. In reality what you get are more fulfilling and diverse songs than the acclaimed debut. Over half of this album is in the vein of old school Swedish death metal similar to the styling of IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILLITY with the NIGHTRAGE polish on them. Songs such as 'Phantasma', 'Drug', and even 'Silent Solitude' have that guitar driven and melodic old school approach. Two songs that stand out among all the greatness contained herein are 'Poems' a truly. The other is 'Frozen' a track I have to listen first every time I play the disc. Clean vocals are handled by Mikael Stanne of DARK TRANQUILLITY which mesh extremely well with roughness of Lindbergs vocals. This track is very similar in style to 'Circle Of Pain' from the debut, only ten times better. 'Solus' an instrumental track provides a great atmospheric element that breaks things up before the fury ahead in 'Jubilant Cry' and 'Reality vs. Truth'.

Overall you can see a vast improvement on a brilliant side project that should become a fulltime gig for these vets of the music scene. Even though there has been several great death metal releases in 2005 nothing has fueled my own rage better than 'Descent Into Chaos'. Prepare for your descent into one of the best albums of 2005 now.


--1evil1